Britain’s current relationship with the European Union is “not good enough,” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, as he outlined plans for closer ties with Brussels ahead of a pivotal EU summit scheduled for November 20. The meeting aims to finalize agreements on trade in food and drink, youth mobility, and emissions trading, topics Burnham hopes will strengthen economic growth and improve cooperation on migration.

Burnham emphasized the need for a “clear-eyed rational look” at the United Kingdom’s long-term relationship with the EU, suggesting that existing arrangements fall short of what is required to promote growth, control immigration, and uphold shared values and security. He described the potential progress at the upcoming summit as a “reset,” which would pave the way for a more serious dialogue on the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

The proposed agreements are expected to add up to £10 billion annually to the British economy by 2040, with one key area being the cooperation on migration. Burnham indicated that the UK’s access to EU migration databases, which it lost after Brexit, could help address illegal immigration and related policy challenges. While he ruled out a return to full free movement at this stage and reaffirmed commitments to existing political red lines set out in Labour’s manifesto, he did not entirely dismiss the possibility of exploring such options beyond the next election.

One of the most contentious issues at the summit remains the youth mobility scheme, which would allow British and EU citizens under 30 to live, work, or study in each other’s territories for up to three years. Disagreements persist over the scale of this mobility and the treatment of tuition fees for EU students studying in the UK. Burnham stressed that making it easier for young people to move freely across Europe is a priority, describing the ability to travel and study without barriers as “greatly” important.

Trade concerns continue to loom, especially regarding the EU’s “Made in Europe” initiative, designed to protect strategic sectors such as renewable energy and electric vehicles from non-European imports, primarily targeting China. This may restrict the inclusion of UK manufacturers in EU supply chains unless a deal is reached. While some EU member states, including the Netherlands, Poland, and Italy, support the UK’s participation, France remains skeptical. The EU bloc itself is still finalizing its position, with a key legislative proposal—the Industrial Accelerator Act—expected later in the year, making formal agreement on this issue unlikely at the November summit.

Burnham also addressed recent controversy surrounding his comments on Russian interference during the 2016 Brexit referendum. He clarified that while he does not believe the interference altered the referendum’s outcome, it is “a matter of record” that Russian actors sought to influence UK elections, citing known interference in the 2019 general election as precedent. Downing Street reiterated its full acceptance of the Brexit vote’s legitimacy, and the Foreign Office noted that while Russian attempts to interfere were clear, they ultimately failed to impact the result.

Overall, Burnham called on Parliament and political parties to support the government’s efforts to reach a positive outcome at the summit, framing the discussions as a duty to reassess and strengthen Britain’s relationship with Europe in a changing global context. Both sides reportedly remain optimistic about progress on key dossiers but acknowledge further negotiations will be necessary to resolve outstanding matters.